Savekers plays Trumpf card
Savekers, a family-owned manufacturer of bespoke and standard metalwork and joinery items, has installed the most up-to-date CNC laser cutting technology.
The move came with the help of a £90,000 SFIE (Selective Finance for Investment in England) grant from regional development agency Advantage West Midlands.
Taking pride of place at the 105-year-old company’s 45,000 sq ft factory in Aldridge Road, Perry Barr, is a Trumpf Tru Laser Tube 5000 profile cutter, which utilises laser beams to produce clean-cut metalwork.
The new investment is already leading to more sub-contracting work, including cutting customers’ own free-issue material; the precision cutting facility is ideal for businesses operating in or supplying the car industry, as well as metal fabricating companies to complement their own offering.
Savekers’ vision for future expansion represents a fast turnaround in fortunes. In 2002 the company’s factory was ravaged by fire, believed to have been caused by exposed heating elements in a leaking chemical tank. The blaze also caused smoke and chemical contamination.
Phil Langford, grants case officer at Advantage West Midlands, said: “One of AWM’s key priorities is to make sure such companies have access to appropriate finance for growth and SFIE funding can often be the last piece in the financial jigsaw to trigger capital expenditure that leads to long-term improvements in productivity, skills and employment.”
“Savekers identified two laser cutting machines that would enable it to significantly reduce the batch element of the production process,” he continued. “The machines also speed up operations, providing additional capabilities the company previously didn’t have. This SFIE project has the potential to transform the manufacturing process. The business had to make this investment in the longer term; however, without assistance the project would present a huge risk to the company.”
Savekers boasts a substantial portfolio of standard items designed for and widely used by companies in numerous market sectors, in particular the retail and hospitality, and leisure industries. Along with its core range of products the company also delivers a bespoke design and manufacture service.
“The funding from AWM has played a pivotal role in the development of our company,” said Dani Saveker, chief executive of Savekers. “I believe there are many opportunities for companies to prosper by working with organisations such as AWM. The SFIE scheme is a fine example of how the public and private sector can work together effectively for mutual benefit.”
SFIE is a form of financial assistance available to businesses located in assisted areas in the UK for investment in capital expenditure, and is run by AWM in the West Midlands. It is normally given in a grant paid in installments based on capital expenditure and job creation targets being met. Funding ranges from £10,000 to £2 million.
